The Lemon Index2003 Ford F-150.
The 2003 Ford F-150 is better than average by owner complaints: 430 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 62, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 16 recalls, and it gets 12 to 16 mpg combined. The best Ford F-150 year is 2007.
Covers the whole F-Series (F-150 plus the F-250/F-350 Super Duty): Ford reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 118 YouTube videos about the 1997–2003 F-150, 18.8M views. The 2003 is the same truck.
What owners say it costs
- Other repairs (parts or shop quote)$3003 videos · most $50–$1,500Hear it ▶
Dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos (median, so one wild number can't swing it). Not verified sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Most-watched topics
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors2.4M views
How to Clean the Intake System - 2001 Ford F150 - (1997-2003), 5.4LInsane Oil · 698K views · 12 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank1.8M views
1997-2003 Ford F150 Fuel Pump with Truck Bed RemovalAPDTY · 568K views · 9 videos - Transmission & shifter1.6M views
How to Replace Transmission Fluid - 2001 Ford F150 - (1997-2003), 5.4LInsane Oil · 515K views · 7 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition1.5M views
1999-2003 Ford F-150 THEFT light decodingFawfulize · 731K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door1.2M views
99 Ford F150 Heater Core LinesVGAPR Garage · 371K views · 6 videos - Brakes & ABS732K views
ABS Pump & Module Replacement (Spongy Sinking Brake Pedal Fix) - 1997-2003 Ford F150, 5.4L (2001)Insane Oil · 262K views · 8 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring698K views
1999-2003 Ford F150 Odometer Fix / Remove Gauge ClusterChassis Media · 251K views · 8 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical693K views
1997-2003 F150 Starter & Battery Cable ReplacementInternetDude · 161K views · 5 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Ford F-150 Pickup 1997-2004 10th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 651K views
1997-2004 Ford F150 Buyer's Guide (10th gen Common Problems, Options, Specs)Useful Vids · 281K views
1997-2003 Ford F150 Review , Should you buy this used truck?Kingsoupturbo · 203K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 983 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford F-150 year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 106K miles on the car (762 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 7K–95K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 9K–63K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 17K–110K miles
Recalls 16
- fuel system, gasoline 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS.
- lights 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL …
- speed control 2009
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER…
Show all 16 recalls
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
- wheels 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, …
- engine 2007
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.
- equipment 2007
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS.
- speed control 2007
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
- speed control 2007
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMPS, P/NOS.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- steering 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE PITMAN ARM TO STEERING GEAR RETAINING NUT WAS NOT FULLY TIGHTENED TO THE REQUIRED SPECIFICATION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 175 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Incorrectly installed gear driven camshaft position (cmp) sensor synchronizer assemblies…
- Various intermittent electrical concerns including but not limited to some accessories…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel tank strap failure due to corrosion2011
- ClosedCng regulator leak2008–2009
- ClosedEngine stalling2006–2007
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–6150 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.2L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Excessive exhaust noise when warming up and cooling down such as loud popping noise.
2003 Ford F-150 owner · NHTSA complaint 10056217
More owner reports
2003 Ford f150 rolled backwards while parked resulting in the vehicle colliding into a building.
NHTSA complaint 10119177
New f350 dielel 6.0, contunial injector problems, runs rough and quits, towed 2x's, sucking dieles into oil.
NHTSA complaint 10023816
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Ford F-150 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 62; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford F-150 year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2003 Ford F-150 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (31%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford F-150 have?
16 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Ford F-150 get?
12 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford F-150 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,000 and 106,200 miles. The middle report was at 58,000 miles, from 762 complaints.
Does the 2003 Ford F-150 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Ford F-150 cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $6150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Ford F-150 have?
4.2L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl.
What Ford F-150 year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works